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Cinelli Bikes Become Objects ‘d Art at Landmark Gallery Showing
SAN FRANCISCO, JUNE 25, 2008 - Urban bike culture and the Art world collided last week at an opening titled “Pressure” at San Francisco’s VASF gallery. Attendees lined up around the block in the Haight Ashbury district to get the first glimpse at this groundbreaking show highlighting the collaboration between esteemed Italian bike brand Cinelli and renowned contemporary urban artists.
Clothing manufacturer RVCA (pronounced ‘roo-ka’) made the event possible by bringing together visual urban artists working in the modalities of track bike and messenger culture. The show featured works by an all-star cast: Barry McGee, Ashley Macomber, Clare Rojas, C.R. Stecyk III, Dan Murphy, Dmote, Jesse Geller, Josh Lazcano, Kaws, Madsaki, Phil Frost, PM Tenore and Stephen Powers using Cinelli SuperCorsa Pista frames and components as their canvases.
RVCA, the brainchild of PM Tenore, blurs the boundaries of action sports apparel by combining art, music, fashion and modern lifestyle in original ways. At the forefront of this is RVCA’s Artist Network Program (ANP) - a partnership established to showcase the talents of accomplished as well as unknown artists who inspire our generation and push the boundaries of creative excellence. The show represents RVCA’s first foray into bike culture.
Antonio Colombo, Gruppo S.p.A. President and Andrew Wright, President of BTI / Cinelli-USA were both on hand for opening night. “You’ll never catch the perfect bike because she will always be faster than you, though the guys from RVCA go faster than most, and I hope to stay in a permanent breakaway with them, with Cinelli” said Colombo. “I’ve changed the bike, yes, but she has also changed me.”
One of the main attractions of the evening was the public unveiling of a limited production Cinelli art bike featuring the work of Barry McGee. The frame, based on the company’s classic SuperCorsa Pista, is rendered in cream and chrome with the artist’s trademark style reproduced in red graphics. A mix of 50 bikes and framesets will be made available to consumers and collectors worldwide. Cinelli-USA is slated to release 15-20 framesets to select Cinelli Dealers in the US market. Pricing will be determined at the time of release based on current international exchange rates.
This is not the first time Cinelli has figured in an artist’s work, some may remember the Keith Haring Laser pursuit bike circa 1987, but it is the first time a Cinelli Art bike will achieve production status.
If a limited edition art bike is more than your means allow, buyers can still participate in other ways; RVCA is producing a series of limited edition T-shirts, CR Stecyk III, photo editor for art mag Juxtapoz, is finishing up a limited edition book showcasing the collaboration. Both will be available for purchase through VASF, RVCA (rvcaclothing.com), and select Cinelli bike dealers.
“Pressure” runs at VASF Gallery, 1485 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117 until July 31, 2008. The show will then travel to the 8th Annual Bike Film Festival in Austin, TX (Sept 19 & 20) before moving on to tour Milan, London, Tokyo and Sydney.
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